What is a good light 30cal bullet for silhouette?

[Fast14riot]

There is a monthly vintage military silhouette match I like to shoot with my 1917, looking for a good </=125gr bullet that I can run around 3000 and still take down the rams. Barrel is a new CBI 10" twist, 30-06, has less than 100 rounds on it now.

 

[Ramblerman]

Can you shoot lead core? I always liked the Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tips for blowing up vermin in my 300 Weatherby

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

There is a monthly vintage military silhouette match I like to shoot with my 1917, looking for a good </=125gr bullet that I can run around 3000 and still take down the rams. Barrel is a new CBI 10" twist, 30-06, has less than 100 rounds on it now.

My favorite 3006 light bullet load is super accurate and not over pressure / 3350 fps. It is listed in the accurate powder load data. 110 grain vmax bullet /68 grains Hunter powder. Full case. This load makes honest 1/2" groups in my factory remington/ piller bedded.

 

[Fast14riot]

Can you shoot lead core? I always liked the Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tips for blowing up vermin in my 300 Weatherby

Yes, the range doesnt allow AP, FMJ, Tracer rounds, so all lead core or solid copper bullets.

 

[billlarson]

Speer 125 gr.TNT...run hot for rams....750 in a value pack.
Bill

 

[bobm]

You will not tip 50 pound rams at 500 meters even 20% of the time with a light .30 cal bullet no matter what speed.

Think 180-190's at 2500 FPS for reliable knock down no matter where you hit them.

I am a still active 35 year veteran of the game.

 

[Bill Norris]

Nosler's 125 gr. B T or the 125 gr. Accu-Bond flies accurate out of my .308.

 

[bobm]

Nosler's 125 gr. B T or the 125 gr. Accu-Bond flies accurate out of my .308.

That's great for antelope and deer. No good on silhouette rams.

 

[Fast14riot]

You will not tip 50 pound rams at 500 meters even 20% of the time with a light .30 cal bullet no matter what speed.

Think 180-190's at 2500 FPS for reliable knock down no matter where you hit them.

I am a still active 35 year veteran of the game.

My 110gr .277 bullets going 2700 do just fine. Almost never ring them unless it was a very low shot or a ram with a screwed up foot. Seems the 130gr 6.5s are doing well, too.

But, thankfully, silhouette isn't just 40 rams at 500m

 

[bobm]

Looked up some data from the Nosler manual using the .30 cal. 125 gr. B.T. Starting out at 3000 fps that .366 BC bullet hits 547 yard rams at about 1800 fps with around 900 ft. lbs. That is marginal remaining energy for a light bullet hitting hard steel. You will lose some rams.

Will you use the same load on all of the targets?

When you set those battle sights on the ram, forget placing that bullet where you want. Nothing at all like covering the target with scope reticles. I occasionally use one of my K98's in 8mm with 170 gr. Speer hot cores on the rams. Major fun but I still leave a few standing with decent hits.

It's all about having fun.

 

[Fast14riot]

Looked up some data from the Nosler manual using the .30 cal. 125 gr. B.T. Starting out at 3000 fps that .366 BC bullet hits 547 yard rams at about 1800 fps with around 900 ft. lbs. That is marginal remaining energy for a light bullet hitting hard steel. You will lose some rams.

Will you use the same load on all of the targets?

When you set those battle sights on the ram, forget placing that bullet where you want. Nothing at all like covering the target with scope reticles. I occasionally use one of my K98's in 8mm with 170 gr. Speer hot cores on the rams. Major fun but I still leave a few standing with decent hits.

It's all about having fun.

I should note, my 1917 is not in battle dress anymore...

I shoot in the sporter division. I am able to place shots where I want. I have a decent load using 175smk, but the barrel hasn't really settled down yet.

 

[bobm]

"monthly vintage military silhouette match I like to shoot with my 1917"

....I thought you were talking NRA rules military rifle silhouette.



Are you shooting offhand or rested? That good looking vintage beast looks heavy.

Well that changes everything. Your still gonna boink rams with 125's.

 

[2506]

You can shoot the lighter cheaper bullets on the closer targets and move up to the heaver bullet for the 500. Easier on the shoulder and pocket book.

 

[JSH]

Are the targets hand set or auto reset. If auto set, what are the topple weight set at. There is a formula around just for this.
I have seen auto rest for IHMSA rams tipped with 50 grain 22’s.
Don’t center punch them. Hit them low in the ham and they will pivot and off. Only way YOU will know if they work at your range is to try them.

Years ago handset FP targets that had mud on the feet 22 Hornet with 50’s didn’t budge them. MD mad a smart azz comment so I came back the next month with a 357 and 180 cast bullets, I didn’t ring a target. They send chickens at 25 into the next county. never had a problem after that.

 

[Fast14riot]

"monthly vintage military silhouette match I like to shoot with my 1917"

....I thought you were talking NRA rules military rifle silhouette.



Are you shooting offhand or rested? That good looking vintage beast looks heavy.

Well that changes everything. Your still gonna boink rams with 125's.

It's a club level match, shot supported. They do follow the classifications for the as-issued division, but for me it's more about another chance to shoot what I have in the safe.

That rifle is just about 10# as is, it is also my hunting rifle. Not much left on it that is original 1917, pretty much just action, bolt, bottom metal, but even those have been modified.

You can shoot the lighter cheaper bullets on the closer targets and move up to the heaver bullet for the 500. Easier on the shoulder and pocket book.

I may end up doing that, stick to my 175smk for the long line.

Are the targets hand set or auto reset. If auto set, what are the topple weight set at. There is a formula around just for this.
I have seen auto rest for IHMSA rams tipped with 50 grain 22’s.
Don’t center punch them. Hit them low in the ham and they will pivot and off. Only way YOU will know if they work at your range is to try them.

Years ago handset FP targets that had mud on the feet 22 Hornet with 50’s didn’t budge them. MD mad a smart azz comment so I came back the next month with a 357 and 180 cast bullets, I didn’t ring a target. They send chickens at 25 into the next county. never had a problem after that.

Targets are hand set.

For scoped rifles like mine, they employ smaller targets for numbers 8, 9, 10, (iron sights shoot standard targets for those 3) and there is a bonus target (5" round or square typically) between 2 & 3. It's a fun course, even if not a properly sanctioned Silhouette match.

 

[JSH]

I have used my 6TCU and 6-223 XP pistols on full size hand set targets with 95% success on rams, 200 meters.
If it will group the lighter weight bullets, I would give them a try.